Staghorn corals belong to the genus a taxonomic category above species acropora. It grows anywhere between the water surface and a depth of about 100 feet. We, the national marine fisheries service nmfs, issue a final rule designating critical habitat for elkhorn acropora palmata and staghorn a. Corals live in symbiotic mutually beneficial relation with algae. Axial corallites are often devoid of radial corallites on their upper surface. All names valid and synonymies according to the world list of. Staghorn coral definition of staghorn coral by the free. A new report from a group of the worlds leading climate scientists warns that to protect coral. Save elkhorn and staghorn corals ocean river institute. This presentation will be a demonstration of a computerbased interactive identification key and a photo library of types that have been developed as a companion to the reference book staghom corals of the world. Diverse staghorn coral fauna on the mesophotic reefs of. Critically endangered staghorn corals are benefiting from.
Elkhorn and staghorn coral critical habitat map and gis data. The ocean river institute provides individuals around the world with specific opportunities to make a difference saving wildlife, protecting ecosystems, in environmental education, science, and conservation. Staghorn coral definition of staghorn coral by merriam. When identifying corals, it is most important to make consistent judgments about species boundaries and to be aware of the extent of variation that can occur within a species, particularly in different habitats. We found four staghorn coral species at mesophotic depths on the great. A fast high resolution version of this catalogue and the acropora identification key will be available on disk from the museum of tropical queensland shop.
Acropora corals, commonly called staghorn or elkhorn corals, are one of the worlds most abundant and recognizable corals. Critically endangered staghorn corals are benefiting from coral gardening in the caribbean. It, along with elkhorn coral and star corals boulder, lobed, and mountainous built caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years. It assesses all the known species worldwide, describing each in detail and illustrating the range of variability of form with habitat. Smithsonian contributions to the marine sciences, number 31, 25 pages, 18 figures, 4 tables, 1990. Overview of distribution patterns of zooxanthellate scleractinia. The name is a combination of the greek word akron meaning summit and latin word porous in reference to the polyp at the tip of each branch. The staghorn coral acropora cervicornis is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. Staghorns named because they look like deer antlers long branches create unique threedimensional. Colonies are generally branching and vary from perforated plates to cushionshaped. Of the 76 staghorn coral species recorded for shallow waters depth. Initially this great document was behind a paywall but now the whole 250 page document is available online as a completely free download. Staghorn corals are thought to have evolved in the late paleocene some 5565 million years ago, and have dominated many reefs for the past 500,000 years.
Staghorn corals became scarce at depths below 50 m but were found growing insitu to 73 m depth. They some of the fastest growing corals and one of the most important in the caribbean, having played a central role in the formation of the reefs over the last 5,000 years. In september 2014, nmfs published a final rule maintaining the status of elkhorn and staghorn corals as threatened species. Climate change is increasing the risk of extinction. Some of its species are known as table coral, elkhorn coral, and staghorn coral. Staghorn coral can form dense groups called thickets in very shallow water. Staghorn corals are so named because their branches look like antlers. This guide is a revision of the doc coral identification guide tracey et al. Staghorn corals definition of staghorn corals by the.
Staghorn corals of the world ebook by carden wallace. Map and gis data representing critical habitat for the conservation of threatened acropora species in the southeast u. Identifying acropora corals in the caribbean scuba diver. Staghorn coral animals at risk from climate change. An important pair of corals urgently needs your help. South molle island, 36 september 1999 staghorn corals of the world. Acroporidae in the museum of tropical queensland pdf. Coral researchers from nova southeastern university nsu oceanographic center formerly with university of north carolina wilmington have been. A field guide to the reef building corals of the indo. Snowwhite coral of oncevibrant great barrier reef a sign. The upper limit is defined by wave forces, and the lower limit is controlled by suspended sediments and light availability.
Acropora the staghorn corals have played a role in the biodiversity, ecology. Often referred to as rainforests of the sea, coral reefs are perhaps the greatest, most vibrant expressions of ocean life. Information, identification, distribution and taxonomy of reef building corals. Corals and climate change environmental defense fund. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Radial corallites are all similar and are usually aligned along branches. Acropora is the most diverse genus of reefbuilding corals in the world today. The lower depth limit of a staghorn coral is defined due to the amount of light present and the quantity of suspended sediments whereas the upper depth limit is determined from wave action. Pdf revision and catalogue of worldwide staghorn corals of. It, along with elkhorn coral and star corals boulder, lobed, and mountainous built. Diverse staghorn corals acropora in highlatitude eocene. Acropora or staghorn corals have porous and lightweight skeletons and come in various shapes and colors for you to choose. Pioneering research at mote marine laboratory may save the worlds dying coral. Staghorn corals play crucial roles in reefbuilding, and in providing food, shelter and other services to the.
Sunda shelf ecoregion now qualifies for inclusion in the coral triangle and the. Acropora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the phylum cnidaria. Read staghorn corals of the world a revision of the genus acropora by carden wallace available from rakuten kobo. Staghorn corals genus acropora are the most obvious and important corals on coral reefs throughout the world, providing much of the beauty and variety seen on the reefs. All acropora corals are dipped, quarantined, and handselected for color and health. A revision of the genus acropora kindle edition by wallace, carden. Corals of the world veron, 2000 and staghorn corals of the world wallace, 1999.
Staghorn coral definition is any of several large branching corals genus acropora, especially a. Pdf species of the reefbuilding coral genera acropora and isopora are. Posthurricane predation on jamaican staghorn corals. Species and climate change international union for. Federal register endangered and threatened species. Your live acropora coral will be packed with care, expertise, and confidence. A revision of the genus acropora kindle edition by carden wallace. There are over 150 species of acropora in the worlds oceans. In the last 30 years the staghorn coral population has decreased by 80% from disease, pollution, development and damage. Relatives of the sea anemone and every bit as splashy, corals display hues ranging from brilliant orange and deep salmon to pale pink and subtle violet. If youre just starting to learn about coral identification, check out our post about coral biology to understand important terms for identification first, look at some of the characteristics that define.
Museum palaeontologist dr ken johnson looks at how britains fossil record helps us understand the success of the staghorn coral, acropora, and how the threa. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc. The coral receives nutrients and oxygen from algae, and the algae receive nutrients and carbon dioxide from the coral. Pdf the gulf is located in a subtropical, hyperarid region. Snowwhite coral of oncevibrant great barrier reef a sign urgent action must be taken. Park biologists closely monitor staghorn and other corals for changes in health and status. Wildscreens arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the worlds biggest encyclopaedia of life on earth. Staghorn corals genus acropora are the most obvious and important corals on coral reefs throughout the world, providin. Australian coral reef society scientific conference, 36 september 1999, south molle island. Staghorn corals thrive in coral reefs at depths ranging 030m. Amazing facts about staghorn coral onekindplanet animal. Acropora species are some of the major reef corals responsible for building the immense calcium carbonate substructure that supports the thin living skin of a reef. It occurs in back reef and fore reef environments from 0 to 30 m 0 to 98 ft depth. The staghorn coral acropora cervicornis, formerly a dominant reef builder at intermediate depths along the.
Reefs built by elkhorn or staghorn corals currently extend as far north as northern. With the help of over 7,000 of the worlds best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, arkive. Acropora is the largest genus of scleractinian corals with 114 species currently accepted as valid. Click download or read online button to get a field guide to the reef building corals of the indo pacific book now. Acropora or staghorn corals are considered difficult to care for by beginners and to keep them successfully in the saltwater reef aquarium successfully, you need to have proper information and guide on its care.
Guide to common deepsea invertebrates in new zealand waters tracey et al. Staghorn corals of the world, carden wallace, 97806431088. Acropora or staghorn corals care, guide and information. Wallace released her revision and catalogue of worldwide staghorn corals acropora and isopora scleractinia. Named for its resemblance to deer antlers, staghorn coral acropora cervicornis is a branching coral with cylindrical branches that range in length from about an inch to more than 6.
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